On Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:34:29 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

Compass, spare GPS/VHF handheld, spare batteries, SOLAS flares/smoke,
basic first aid kit, water purifying tablets, water proof matches,
candle, firestarter, two flashlights, survival blankets and a mirror.

That's a good start for back country survival but it's important to
note that you cannot desalinate water with purification tablets, and
solar stills have a bad reputation. Therefore I would add bottled
water to the kit and some sort of high energy food like granola bars.
For use on a liferaft you can delete the matches, candle and
firestarter unless you have a reasonable chance of reaching land.